The Linen Quarter is the area of Belfast city centre south of the City Hall. Traditionally the district was understood to occupy an approximate square shaped area bounded by Howard Street/Donegall Square South/May Street, Great Victoria Street, Ormeau Avenue and Joy Street. Since the formation of Linen Quarter BID in 2018, however, the district is often considered to have a wider footprint that includes the Europa Transport Hub and parts of Dublin Road.

Like Architects was established in 2011 by Michael Martin and Ciaran Deazley at the end of the last recession. Initially drawing upon relationships with the local banks, the practice grew out of transforming failed residential assets into viable planning approvals thereby reshaping derelict portions of Belfast city centre.